Apparatus for yarn removal

ABSTRACT

Yarn underwindings upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine are removed by a portable apparatus releasably connected to the machine for guided movement longitudinally of its spindle rail. Yarn is dislodged from the spindles by a rotatable disclike member mounted for lateral and axial tilting movement, and having a smooth annular surface engageable with the rotating spindles. Dislodged yarn is withdrawn by suction into a collection chamber of the apparatus, from which it can later be readily removed. The apparatus operates with equal efficiency and effectiveness when moved in either longitudinal direction, and can be quickly connected to and disconnected from a spinning frame.

United States Patent 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 28/19, 57/34 Int. Cl D03d 45/58 Field of Search 28/19, 20; 57/34, 34.5

Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney-Donald H. Feldman ABSTRACT: Yarn underwindings upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine are removed by a portable apparatus releasably connected to the machine for guided movement longitudinally of its spindle rail. Yarn is dislodged from the spindles by a rotatable disclike member mounted for lateral and axial tilting movement, and having a smooth annular surface engageable with the rotating spindles. Dislodged yarn is withdrawn by suction into a collection chamber of the apparatus, from which it can later be readily removed. The apparatus operates with equal efficiency and effectiveness when moved in either longitudinal direction, and can be quickly connected to and disconnected from a spinning frame.

PATENTEU lmzslen 3579761 sum 2 ur 3 77/5/19 AGANT 1 APPARATUS FOR YARN REMOVAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term yam" as used herein is intendedto encompass all types of textile threads, filaments and the like.

This invention relates to portableapparatus releasably connectable to a textile spinning frame or like machine and movable longitudinally thereof for the purpose. of removing from-its rotating spindles yarn previously wound upon their lower sections. The purpose of such yarn underwindings and their method of formation are well known to those skilled in the art.

US. Pat. No. 3,426,518 discloses a device generally of the above-described type, in that the same is releasably conncctable to a textile-spinning frame and. movable longitudinally of its rotating spindles for the purpose of removing yarn. underwindings therefrom. The guided movement of a device. so mounted renders itsuperior, in terms of operator safety and operational efficiency and effectiveness, to the various handheld knives, brushes, wheels andotherimplements also sometimes employed toremove yarn underwindings. However, theuse of a brush as the operative element in even a rail-mounted completion of a servicing operation, the apparatus may be quickly disconnected from the spinning frame or other machine, without the use of any tools whatsoever, and readily transported to another machine requiring servicing.

Various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is arear perspective view of an apparatus embodying the. invention, the access door of the apparatus being partially open to show the interior of the yarn collectionchamber;

device, such as in the aforesaid patent, presents certain problems and inherent deficiencies.

After only a relatively brief period of use in engagement with the rapidly rotating spindles, the-bristles of a brush element flare outwardly so as to span an area greater than 1 spinning frame or other machine being serviced. If. thedevice 1 is moved in a direction opposite to that dictated bythe set condition of its brush element, the problem of bristles being dislodged from the brush and hurled'by. the rotating spindles against operating personnel, which problem is always present when brushes are employed, becomes particularly acute. Additionally and perhaps most significantly, the yam dislodged from the rotating spindles by means of rough-surfaced elements generally, and brush elements in particular,:tends to adhere strongly to the elements themselves. Periodic and frequently laborious cleaning or replacement of theelements, resulting in loss of operating efficiency of the device of which they form a part, are therefore required.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTTON The present invention provides an improved portable apparatus of the typedescribed which is readily connectable to a textile-spinning frame or like machine forprecisely guided movement longitudinally thereof and which in eithendirection of longitudinal movement efficiently removes yarn underwindings from the machine's rotating spindles adjacent thereto. Yarn is dislodged from the spindles by a disclike member, rotatable about a generally upright central axis and preferably having a smooth cylindrical annular peripheral surface fonned of material such as brass less hard. than the spindles engaged thereby, which is mounted upon the apparatus for resilient movement in a lateral direction toward and away from the spindles and for self-adjusting axial tilting movement relative to each spindle engaged thereby. Suctionmeanscar: ried by the apparatus withdraws the dislodged yam into a collection chamber, from which it can be readily removed at the. convenience of the operator. Effective withdrawal of the dislodged yarn irrespective of the direction of longitudinal movement of the apparatus is facilitated by the provision of two suction inlets disposed closely adjacent opposite sides of the annular peripheralsurface of the disclike member, and by the preferably smooth finish of such peripheral surface. The particularmounting of thedisclike member for controlled longitudinal, lateral and axial tilting movement greatly enhances and top plan which .yam underwourid thereon is to be removed. FIG. 2

shows in phantom lines a portion of a conventional machine of the aforesaid type, the illustrated one of its spindles 12 being equipped with a yam-underwinding section 14 overlying a driving whi'rl l6 and brake mechanism l8,-and-extending upwardly from a supporting spindle rail. 20 having a flanged cover 22' formed integrally with or secured rigidly to its forward face. ltshould be understood, however, that the use of apparatus 10 is'not restricted to machines having the precise construction. shown in FIG. 2, but also extends to other machines of'the. general typedescribed, which other machines may if necessary be specially equipped with elongate rails adapted to support apparatus 10, and possibly also other servicing devices, for movement parallel to the row of spindles extending longitudinally thereof.

Apparatus 10 generally comprises a boxlike housing 24 having, a pair of handle members 26, 26' attached to opposite sidewalls thereof; means in the form of a plurality of wheel members 28, 28-', 30, 30' andi32, 32 releasably connecting,

' section 14; means including vertically spaced arms 36, 36'

mounting disclike member 34 for lateral movement toward and away from a position of engagement with spindlesl'2 and for self-adjusting axial tilting movement upon engagement of member 34 with each spindlelZ; and suction means including inlet ducts 38, 38 and fan-motor assembly 40 forwithdrawing yarn dislodged by member 34 into a collection chamber 4] within housing 24. If housing 24 and the other main structural components of apparatus 10 are formed of aluminumsor other similarly secured to the front wall of housing 24 by bolts 48 mounts wheels 30, 30' forwardly of such front wall-for free rotative movement about laterally spacedand generally vertically extending axes. The forwardly projecting portions of generally L-shaped shafts'50, 50' respectively mount-the-intermediate wheels 32, 32 for rotation about laterally spaced axes. extending generally parallel to those of wheels 28', 28", and for vertical movement relative to wheels 28, 28' and housing 24. i As is best shown in FIG. 2, the vertically extendinginner end portion of shaft-50 projects through vertically aligned bores and bearings 52 provided in the enlarged base portion of handle member 26. Resilient means in the form of coil spring 54 biases shaft 50 and therefore wheel 32 upwardly, the spring being mounted within base portion of handle 26 in encircling relationship to the enclosed vertical portion of shaft 50 and in engagement with a collar 56 secured to the shaft. A lever 58 pivotally connected to the top of the base portion of handle 26, and overlying the free length of the handle, engages the upwardly projecting free end of the vertical portion of shaft 50. Upon downward pivotal movement of lever 58 toward handle 26, shaft 50 and therefore wheel 32 are displaced downwardly against the upward biasing force of spring 54.

Release of lever 58 permits shaft 50 and wheel 32 to automatically return upwardly, under the impetus of spring 54. A bifurcated guide 59 projecting forwardly and downwardly from the base portion of handle 26 straddles the forwardly projecting portion of shaft 50 and guides its aforesaid movement. Corresponding components, identified in the drawings by the same numerals but with the addition of prime designations, are provided on the opposite side of housing 24 in association with shaft 50' and handle member 26.

Apparatus. may be quickly and easily mounted upon spindle rail cover 22 of a machine requiring servicing by an operator's simply placing wheels 28, 28' upon the covers forwardly projecting flange, while holding the apparatus by handles 26, 26' and while maintaining levers 58, 58' depressed, and thereafter releasing the handles and levers. Upon release of levers 58, 58', wheels 32, 32 are biased upwardly into clamping engagement with the downwardly extending terminal flange of cover 22. Lower wheels 30, 30, if not previously in engagement with cover 22, at this time also engage its vertically extending main body portion. Apparatus 10 then occupies the mounted position shown in FIG. 2, wherein it is securely connected to the machine for guided movement longitudinally thereof in either direction adjacent the row of spindles l2.

A bracket 60 mounted upon the front wall of housing 24 at the elevation of spindle sections 14 mounts vertically spaced arms 36, 36' in suitable bearings for independent lateral pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis extending through the bracket and the right ends (as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the arms. An upright shaft 61 carried by and extending between intermediate and forwardly projecting portions of arms 36, 36 mounts disclike member 34 for lateral movement with the arms and for free rotation about its central axis. As is best shown in FIG. 2, vertical slots 62, 62 respectively provided in the free left ends of arms 36, 36 loosely receive a plate 64 mounted for sliding movement upon a stud 66 projecting forwardly from the front wall of housing 24 and encircled by a coil spring 68 biasing plate 64, and therefore arms toward spindles 12. The forwardmost position of disclike member 34 is slightly to the right of that shown in FIG. 2. As longitudinal movement of apparatus 10 brings member 34 adjac'ent a spindle 12, member 34 will upon its initial engagement with spindle section 14 be pivoted rearwardly somewhat against the biasing force of spring .68. As movement of apparatus 10 by the spindle continues, spring 68 returns member 34 forwardly and maintains its engagement with spindle section 14 during the terminal phase of its passage thereby. The period of engagement between disclike member 34 and each spindle section 14 is therefore prolonged, and a force of predetermined and not excessive magnitude, as governed by the strength of spring 68, is applied by disclike member 34 to each spindle 12 irrespective of the diameter of the yarn underwinding upon its section 14.

At least peripheral surface 34' of member 34 is formed of brass or other material less hard than the material of the spindle sections 14 engaged thereby, so that any wearing occasioned by such engagement results in dimunition of the diameter of member 34 and not in any deterioration of spindles l2. Notwithstandingits being intended to gradually wear away in use, member 34 has a relatively long useful life. Since rotated while in use by its engagement with spindles 12, its size reduction is circumferentially uniform. Additionally, the aforesaid biased mounting of member 34 automatically compensates for reductions in its diameter. Perhaps most importantly, the connection between plate 64 and arm slots 62, 62? affords sufficient lost motion between arms 36, 36' as to permit self-adlo justing axial tilting movement of member 34 upon each engagement of its surface 34' with a spindle section, 14. Such tilting movement brings surface 34' parallel to the surface of each. spindle section 14 engaged thereby,-thus preventing the rapid rounding or other wearing away of the annular top and bottom edges of member 34 which would otherwise likely ensue, to the detriment of both the operating effectiveness and useful life of member 34.

Surface 34' of member 34 is preferably provided with a smooth finish so as to not itself retain any of the yarn dislodged thereby from the spindle sections 14 which it engages. Irrespective of the, direction of longitudinal movement of apparatus 10, the dislodged yarn is withdrawn by suction into one or the other of suction ducts 38, 38", which project forwardly from the front wall of housing 24 and have their inlet openings disposed closely adjacent opposite sides of surface 34' of member 34, and is conducted thereby into the communicating collection chamber 41 provided within the upper portion of housing 24. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, chamber 41 communicates through a filter screen 70 with the suction-producing fan-motor assembly carried within the lower portion of housing 24. An access door 72 forming part of the rear wall of housing 24 permits collected yarn to be 36, 36' and disclike member 34, away from housing 24 and easily removed from the interior of chamber4l at the convenience of the operator. 7

Operation of fan-motor assembly 40 is controlled by a switch 74 mounted upon the rear wall of housing 24. As shown in the drawings, assembly 40 receives electrical power from an extraneous source (not shown) through cord 76. It will be appreciated, however, that assembly 40 might instead receive power through suitable bus bar contacts or from reenergizable batteries provided within housing 24. It will also be appreciated that while the apparatus 10 specifically shown and described is intended to be manually moved longitudinally of spindle rail cover 22, as by an operator pushing orpulling upon one of its handles 26, 26, the apparatus could with only minor modifications be made self-propelled or connectable to some other self-propelled servicing device for movement therewith. Usage of apparatus 10 in the latter manner is made possible by the capability of the apparatus for effective unattended operation irrespective of its direction of longitudinal movement upon the spinning frame or like machine being serviced.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, this was for purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising:

a wheeled housing mounted for guided movement longitudinally of said machine adjacent said spindles thereof;

a disclike member carried by and movable with said housing for rotation about a generally upright central axis and for engagement of its annular peripheral surface with said spindles, said member upon engagement with said spindles dislodging therefrom yarn underwound thereon;

and suction means carried by said housing for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said disclike member from said spindles, said suction means including a yarn-collecting chamber within said housing and a pair of suction inlets communicating with said chamber and disposed closely adjacent said disclike member on opposite sides of its peripheral annular surface.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the annular peripheral surface of said disclike member is smooth and has a hardness less than the hardness of said spindles engaged thereby.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said suction means further includes a motor-fan assembly mounted within said housing and communicating with said chamber for creating a suction airflow through said inlets and into said chamber, and wherein said housing includes an access door movable to an open position providing access to the interior of said chamber and permitting the removal therefrom of yarn collected therein.

4. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising:

a housing mounted for guided movement longitudinally of said machine adjacent said spindles thereof;

a disclike member rotatable about a generally upright central axis, said member having an annular peripheral surface adapted to engage said spindles and to dislodge therefrom yarn underwound thereon;

means mounting said disclike member upon said housing for longitudinal movement therewith and for lateral movement of said member into engagement with said spindles and for self-adjusting tilting movement of said member about its central axis upon engagement thereof with said spindles; and

suction means carried by said housing and having an inlet closely adjacent said disclike member for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said member from said spindles.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said mounting means includes a center shaft projecting generally vertically through said disclike member and mounting the same for rotation about said axis thereof, a pair of vertically spaced support arms respectively connected to opposite upper and lower ends of said shaft, and means mounting said support arms for limited lateral movement relative to each other to permit said self-adjusting tilting movement of said disclike member.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said means mounting said arms includes bearing means mounting said arms for independent pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis extending through one end of each of said arms, and means loosely interconnecting said arms adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

7. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said mounting means mounts said disclike, member for lateral movement along an arcuate path of travel into and out of engagement with said spindles, and further including resilient means biasing said disclike member into a position of engagement with said spindles.

8. Apparatus as in claim'4, including means carried by said housing and releasably connecting the same to a supporting rail of said machine for said guided movement longitudinally thereof, said connecting means including a plurality of rotatable wheels engageable with said rail, means mounting at least one of said wheels for movement toward and away from a position of clamping engagement with said rail, resilient means biasing said one of said wheels toward said clamping position thereof, and manually pivotable lever means engageable with said wheel mounting means for moving when desired said one of said wheels from said position thereof.

9. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising:

a portable and readily transportable housing:

means carried by said housing and releasably connecting the same to a supporting rail of said machine for guided movement longitudinally thereof adjacent said spindles, said connecting means including a plurality of rotatable wheel members engageable with said rail, means mounting at least one of said wheel members for movement toward and away from a position of clamping engagement with said rail, resilient means biasing said one of said wheel members toward said clamping position thereof, and lever means for moving when desired said one of said wheel members away from said ositjon thereof; a disclike member carried by said ousmg for rotation about a generally upright central axis and for engagement with said spindles, to dislodge from said spindles yarn underwound thereon; and

suction means carried by said housing I for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said disc member from said spindles.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, including a pair of handles carried by said housing on opposite sides thereof, and wherein said lever means includes a lever member mounted for pivotal movement toward one of said handles for moving said one of said wheel members from said position thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 579 751 Dated May 25, 1971 l vent r( Harvey R. Plonsker et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [56] "Attorney" should read Agent Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER ,JR ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69} USCOMM-DC 5O376-P69 U 5 GOVEFINMENY PRINTING OFFICE 963 0*355n'i34 

1. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising: a wheeled housing mounted for guided movement longitudinally of said machine adjacent said spindles thereof; a disclike member carried by and movable with said housing for rotation about a generally upright central axis and for engagement of its annular peripheral surface with said spindles, said member upon engagement with said spindles dislodging therefrom yarn underwound thereon; and suction means carried by said housing for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said disclike member from said spindles, said suction means including a yarn-collecting chamber within said housing and a pair of suction inlets communicating with said chamber and disposed closely adjacent said disclike member on opposite sides of its peripheral annular surface.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the annular peripheral surface of said disclike member is smooth and has a hardness less than the hardness of said spindles engaged thereby.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said suction means further includes a motor-fan assembly mounted within said housing and communicating with said chamber for creating a suction airflow through said inlets and into said chamber, and wherein said housing includes an access door movable to an open position providing access to the interior of said chamber and permitting the removal therefrom of yarn collected therein.
 4. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising: a housing mounted for guided movement longitudinally of said machine adjacent said spindles thereof; a disclike member rotatable about a generally upright central axis, said member having an annular peripheral surface adapted to engage said spindles and to dislodge therefrom yarn underwound thereon; means mounting said disclike member upon said housing for longitudinal movement therewith and for lateral movement of said member into engagement with said spindles and for self-adjusting tilting movement of said member about its central axis upon engagement thereof with said spindles; and suction means carried by said housing and having an inlet closely adjacent said disclike member for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said member from said spindles.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said mounting means includes a center shaft projecting generally vertically through said disclike member and mounting the same for rotation about said axis thereof, a pair of vertically spaced support arms respectively connected to opposite Upper and lower ends of said shaft, and means mounting said support arms for limited lateral movement relative to each other to permit said self-adjusting tilting movement of said disclike member.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said means mounting said arms includes bearing means mounting said arms for independent pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis extending through one end of each of said arms, and means loosely interconnecting said arms adjacent the opposite ends thereof.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said mounting means mounts said disclike member for lateral movement along an arcuate path of travel into and out of engagement with said spindles, and further including resilient means biasing said disclike member into a position of engagement with said spindles.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 4, including means carried by said housing and releasably connecting the same to a supporting rail of said machine for said guided movement longitudinally thereof, said connecting means including a plurality of rotatable wheels engageable with said rail, means mounting at least one of said wheels for movement toward and away from a position of clamping engagement with said rail, resilient means biasing said one of said wheels toward said clamping position thereof, and manually pivotable lever means engageable with said wheel mounting means for moving when desired said one of said wheels from said position thereof.
 9. Apparatus for removing yarn underwound upon the spindles of a textile-spinning frame or like machine, comprising: a portable and readily transportable housing: means carried by said housing and releasably connecting the same to a supporting rail of said machine for guided movement longitudinally thereof adjacent said spindles, said connecting means including a plurality of rotatable wheel members engageable with said rail, means mounting at least one of said wheel members for movement toward and away from a position of clamping engagement with said rail, resilient means biasing said one of said wheel members toward said clamping position thereof, and lever means for moving when desired said one of said wheel members away from said position thereof; a disclike member carried by said housing for rotation about a generally upright central axis and for engagement with said spindles, to dislodge from said spindles yarn underwound thereon; and suction means carried by said housing for withdrawing therein yarn dislodged by said disc member from said spindles.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9, including a pair of handles carried by said housing on opposite sides thereof, and wherein said lever means includes a lever member mounted for pivotal movement toward one of said handles for moving said one of said wheel members from said position thereof. 